Golf-Nicklaus leaves it to Woods to find perfect match

By Steve Keating

MONTREAL, Sept 25 (Reuters) - U.S. captain Jack Nicklaus has given up trying to find the perfect match for Tiger Woods after three Presidents Cups and he will leave it to the world number one to decide who he wants to partner.

Finding someone to play alongside the world's best player would on the surface appear easy but some of golf's greatest thinkers have been unable to unlock the mystery behind Woods's mediocre record in team competition.

While few would relish their chances going head-to-head against Woods, who is 6-2-1 in singles play at the Presidents and Ryder Cup, the 31-year-old's record in four-ball and foursomes does not strike the usual fear into his opponents.

His Presidents Cup record certainly does not reflect his status as perhaps the greatest player ever to have picked up a golf club, posting a mark of 10-9-1 over four events. In five Ryder Cups his 10-13-1 record is even less impressive.

The fourball format has posed a particular problem for Woods in Presidents Cup play where he is an uninspiring 2-6.

CHANGING PARTNERS

"Tiger's record in four-ball is not particularly good," Nicklaus told reporters on Tuesday. "I think he won a match in Washington and we almost gave him a party.